A NEW concept shop to promote businesses both new and established, and also help bands and community events, opens in Darwen on Saturday morning.

The Retail Therapy Shop, at 29 Bolton Road, aims to bring communities and businesses together at one venue with stall concessions and a free community message board.

The board will not only allow messages to be left but will also encourage residents to skills- swap such as offering two hours of decorating in return for two hours of computer lessons.

And it will provide a space for bands and musicians to promote themselves.

The shop will also be an information point for community groups and charities.

It is the brainchild of Eileen Connell, 48, of Bolton Road. She said: "It's something I have wanted to do for a while.

"I have had a lot of interest from concessions, bands and artists."

Businesses taking part include Stockleys Sweets, Tempting Delights selling hand-made cakes and biscuits, and Bios Naturecure offering Naturopathy services.